MANILA — Members of the Senate have strongly dismissed concerns raised by Vice President Sara Duterte that the proposed 2027 national budget could be manipulated to sway senator-judges during her upcoming impeachment trial.
In a press briefing in Manila on Thursday, October 15, Senate President Win Gatchalian assured the public that the legislative body remains entirely focused on objective processing rather than external political maneuvering.
He noted that the national budget was only recently transmitted to the chamber and is still in the early stages of review.
“Wala namang ganun. First, kaka-transmit lang sa amin nung budget, last Monday. So, nag-umpisa pa lang eh. Pinag-aaralan yung budget,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian emphasized that the budgetary process is transparent and that such claims hold no weight.
“Well the, the budget is open. Yung process natin open ‘yan… Walang basis yung ganung allegations,” he added.
Addressing the gravity of the accusations, Gatchalian stressed that the integrity of the impeachment court depends on absolute fairness and strict separation from fiscal matters.
“Masisira talaga yung impeachment court kung ganun yung magiging allegation. But ang aming direction is maging impartial and fair ang magiging judgment ng impeachment. In fact hindi in any way konektado yung budget sa magiging judgment ng impeachment. Ang direction ng impeachment is to render impartial and fair judgment,” Gatchalian stated.
Echoing these remarks, Senator Erwin Tulfo maintained that there has been no coercion or pressure among lawmakers regarding voting outcomes.
“Wala naman akong alam eh. Wala namang ganun na pressure para bumoto tsaka wala pa, wala pa namang botohan. Di pa naman tapos eh ‘di ba?” Tulfo said.
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson took strong exception to the Vice President’s remarks, describing her assertions as sweeping and unjust toward legislators who protect the integrity of national funds.
“A sweeping statement from no less than the country’s second-highest official is unfair to those of us who have consistently upheld the integrity of the national budget and served as its vanguards,” Lacson said.
“That said, in all my years as a senator, I have never succumbed to the allure of pork barrel, in whatever shape and form. On the contrary, I have consistently opposed and fought against it,” he added.